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Product Description
In the 21st-century, eleven extraterrestrial races have settled the planets and moons of the solar system, sometimes interacting with humans, sometimes ignoring them altogether. The alien races reached human space with faster-than-light drives -- deepdrives -- designed to self-destruct after use, taking the secret of their construction with them. Without deepdrives of their own, humans have no way to cross the vast interstellar gulf separating them from galactic civilization. But then a renegade Vronnan, the only one ever to enter the solar system, crashes on Venus and is taken into "protective custody". There is no telling what he knows -- perhaps even the elusive secret of the deepdrive. Now a ragtag group of mercenaries, thrown together by chance and failure, determines to break him out and learn his secrets for themselves.
Amazon.com Review
In Alexander Jablokov's new novel, no less than 11 different alien races have visited our solar system, setting up home on the planets and moons most hospitable to them. Humanity would love to join these far-flung adventurers in their travels, but we lack the deepdrive that makes trekking between the stars possible. So far no human has been able to acquire a drive or find a way to create one, and none of the aliens are willing to pass along the secret. But a few years ago, an alien by the name of Ripi crash-landed in our system, and he may have brought an intact drive with him. Since his landing, Ripi has been held on Venus, half exile and half political prisoner, refusing to say anything about the drive. But now Ripi has put the word out that he'd like to be rescued from his enforced vacation, and mercenary Soph Trost is one of many people (and aliens) who want a piece of the action... and the deepdrive. This is a ripping tale by Jablokov, who has no trouble mixing good old-fashioned action with an intricate plot and colorful characters. --Craig E. Engler
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